THE HIGH Court on Monday ordered the release of 21 MDC-T supporters accused of murdering a police officer in Glen View, Harare, early last year.

They are part of the 29 party members who have been languishing in remand prison for almost 19 months.

Justice Chinembiri Bhunu finally granted the activists bail after the High Court repeatedly turned down their attempts at freedom.

But he refused to release five others including party executive member, Last Maengahama, councillor Tungamirai Madzokere, Yvonne Musarurwa, Rebecca Mafukeni and Simon Mapanzura after agreeing with the prosecution that they were a flight risk.

MDC-T Youth chairman Solomon Madzore was among the accused, but was also released a few weeks ago together with Cynthia Manjoro and Lovemore Taruvinga.

The activists deny murdering Inspector Petros Mutedza in May last year.

MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said while they were happy about the release, the arrest of their members was unjustified in the first place.

“We are happy that they are out but what the High Court has done is not a favour. They were not supposed to be there in the first place,” he said.

“So the High Court has just done the correct thing, but it has taken it so much time. These are people that are being harassed for absolutely nothing. They did not commit the offence, and there is overwhelming evidence to that effect.”

Mwonzora accused the justice system of applying the law selectively.

“If anything, this case shows the selective application of the law in Zimbabwe. We all know of a policeman in Shamva who murdered somebody over a dollar and was given bail within 10 days,” he said.

“We also know people who murdered Cephas Magura in cold blood and they were given $50 bail. But our activists have been imprisoned for over 400 days on trumped up charges.

“The party is however, happy for them and their families that they are now out of custody. We demand the release of those still detained.”